Breast Cancer Prevention Starts With a Mammogram in Arizona

At Dignity Health, our OB/GYNs help women of all ages prevent breast cancer and detect the early stages of breast cancer with mammograms. A mammogram is a safe, noninvasive physical or digital exam of the breast.

Dignity Health offers 3-D mammograms to better detect cancer in women with dense breasts. This procedure is also called breast tomosynthesis. To learn more about breast cancer screening with a 3-D mammogram in Arizona, Find a Doctor today at Dignity Health location near you.

Benefits of 3-D Mammography

While traditional 2-D mammography has been beneficial in the fight against breast cancer, it may not always detect cancer in women with dense breast tissue. This is because the 2-D image does not always distinguish between healthy and cancerous tissue.

With the innovation of 3-D mammography, doctors are able to view a much more accurate image, allowing for better cancer detection in women with dense breasts.

What to Expect With a 3-D Mammogram at Dignity Health

Mammograms typically are performed in an outpatient radiology clinic. You will be able to go home after your exam is complete. Fortunately, there is no difference in the feeling between a 2-D and 3-D mammogram.

Before the exam, you health care provider will ask you to change into a hospital gown. To begin the exam, you will stand in front of the mammogram machine. The provider will ask you to uncover your breast and will help position you on a platform on the machine. 

Once in place, a plastic plate will gently compress your breast tissue between the plate and the platform. This will be done in a variety of ways, allowing for multiple angles. Low-dose X-rays will pass through your breast, creating pictures of the inside of your breast. You will feel some pressure, but you shouldn’t feel any pain. If you do feel pain, tell your provider. You will then be asked to stand still and hold your breath while the provider takes the pictures. The entire exam generally lasts about 30 minutes. 

Once your exam is complete, you will be able to return to your normal activities. The results of your mammogram may be available on the same day of your exam, or it may take a few days to complete.

Dignity Health provides reliable options for breast cancer screening with mammograms in Arizona.